8 Best Restaurants in University Heights, Adams Avenue, and Normal Heights, San Diego

There's almost no combination on earth as satisfying as pizza and beer—which just happen to be Blind Lady's specialties. The old-world-style pizzas are topped with organic ingredients, like house-made chorizo and avocado, which offer an excellent complement to their extensive beer selection, which is updated on their chalkboard daily. Just be patient waiting for a seat at the popular neighborhood spot, which is decorated with upcycled materials such as reclaimed wood floors and glass cases of vintage beer cans.

Employing the motto "If your grandmother wouldn't bake with it, we won't either," Blackmarket Bakery emphasizes that all its creations are made from scratch, and the proof is in the tasting. Its pastry case is full of buttercream-frosted cakes, drop cookies, and other fresh-baked goodies, in addition to breakfast sandwiches and vegan pastries.

Don’t be fooled by the humble facade—this tiny Mexican taqueria serves up some of the best seafood-focused border food in town. There’s almost always a crowd of Uptown locals and savvy travelers here, but orders for burritos, tacos, and combination plates almost fly out of the kitchen. A newer outpost on Adams Avenue offers a seated dining experience with a modified menu.

One of the few San Diego coffee shops that's open 24 hours a day, this Normal Heights mainstay also has a great selection of baked goods and a neighboring music venue that stages acoustic and comedy acts seven days a week. Lestat's also has locations in University Heights and Hillcrest.

A bright and bustling A.M.-hours counterpart to its sibling restaurant Madison, Madi is a haven for the Sunday brunch crowd. With colorful decor and no fewer than six different variations of mimosa on the menu, it's youthful and indulgent, but not exclusive to weekends—Madi serves its gooey morning treats like peanut butter and banana pancakes and chilaquiles every day starting at 8.

With window service from its colorful, street-art-adorned kitchen and outdoor seat-yourself tables, this is an ideal spot for a quick bite, but that doesn't mean it's not substantial. The outdoor eatery serves savory and delicious abundant plates of traditional Filipino pork, sausage, and chicken dishes, along with signature snacks like lumpia (Filipino spring rolls) and their head-turning purple ube pandesal (bread rolls). Come hungry, and plan on taking some to go.